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Going Abroad? Stay on Track to Graduate with Semester Online

Three months exploring New Zealand, a semester on the beaches of Spain—all once in a lifetime opportunities offered to college students nationwide through valuable study abroad programs. And while the chance to take your education international promises to be a truly unforgettable experience, there are so many things collegiettes must consider when it comes to the decision to go abroad–an important one being whether going abroad will allow you to stay on track to graduate on time.

“While I had a blast studying in Spain for a semester, I had to double up on classes and handle crazy workloads in the semesters after to ensure I would have the necessary credits to graduate.” said Kelly Thurston, a senior at Salisbury University.

Luckily, Semester Online is now making it easy for students to receive a quality education regardless of location. A one-of-a-kind program that offers unique and rigorous for-credit courses via your computer, Semester Online is available to anyone with an internet connection, so taking courses while abroad is no problem.And with schools like Notre Dame and Boston College coming together to form the intensive online programs, Semester Online gives students the chance to live wherever they choose while still ensuring they are able to earn enough credits to graduate at their expected time. Through the collaborative efforts of professors at some of the nation’s top universities, courses offered utilize live weekly lectures and face-to-face video technology to provide an intimate learning environment for classes in everything from liberal arts to finance and accounting.

After discussing with your academic advisor and Registrar’s Office whether or not taking a Semester Online 3-credit class will help you maintain your current academic course plan, interested students are asked to submit an application no later than August 5th for the Fall 2013 semester. And another cool part of Semester Online? Upon completing a course, students are awarded credit from the school that sponsors the class itself, helping to diversify your academic background even further.

So whether it’s a semester overseas, an internship in a major city or another extenuating circumstance preventing you from living near your school next semester, be sure to look into Semester Online for convenient course options that suit your upcoming endeavors–regardless of where they happen to be located.

Abigail Colby is a current senior at Salisbury University in her native state of Maryland. Before writing and blogging for Her Campus, she worked on the entertainment team for College Magazine and founded her own column, Party Girl Problems, in SU's student newspaper. Along with working as a writer, Abigail is a sister of Zeta Tau Alpha and member of Saisbury Univeristy's Center for Civic Activism. She is also a self-admitted online shopping addict, huge Baltimore Ravens fan (ya know, the Superbowl champs), and loves being out on the water. Puppies and cupcakes are pretty high on the list as well. Enjoy!!  
As the Senior Designer, Kelsey is responsible for the conceptualization and design of solutions that support and strengthen Her Campus on all levels. While managing junior designers, Kelsey manages and oversees the creative needs of Her Campus’s 260+ chapters nationwide and abroad. Passionate about campaign ideation and finding innovative design solutions for brands, Kelsey works closely with the client services team to develop integrated marketing and native advertising campaigns for Her Campus clients such as Macy’s, UGG, Merck, Amtrak, Intel, TRESemmé and more. A 2012 college graduate, Kelsey passionately pursued English Literature, Creative Writing and Studio Art at Skidmore College. Born in and native to Massachusetts, Kelsey supplements creative jewelry design and metal smithing with a passion for fitness and Boston Bruins hockey. Follow her on Twitter: @kelsey_thornFollow her on Instagram: @kelsey_thorn